Scotland's David Bedell-Sivright was mostly used as a midweek player in 1903 but returned the following year as captain of the British side that toured both Australia and New Zealand. Arthur O'Brien, of Guy's Hospital, was the player-manager, and the backs were dominated by a group of talented Welshman that included Rhys Gabe, Teddy Morgan, Percy Bush and Tommy Vile.
Playing fluent attacking rugby, the tourists brushed Australia aside in three consecutive Tests, scoring a combined 50 points for only 3 in return. However, a new challenge lay in wait across the Tasman Sea. In their first ever test against New Zealand, they were defeated 9-3. To prove that the result was no fluke, Auckland beat them again the following weekend. A new rugby superpower had emerged.
The following images are from a scrapbook compiled by S Saunders, a forward on the 1904 Lions tour.
